Low profile evaporative cooler

ABSTRACT

A low profile side inlet evaporative cooler including a housing having a housing length width at least twice the housing width. A centrifugal blower draws air through two side inlets through and through a rigid evaporative cooling media.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is being filed concurrently with U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______, entitled Low Profile Evaporative CoolerHousing (Atty. Dkt. 25636-108); and U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled Evaporative Cooler Water Distribution System (Atty.Dkt. 25636-113); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitledEvaporative Cooler Media Housing (Atty. Dkt. 25636-114). Each of theforegoing applications is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of evaporativecoolers, and more particularly to a low profile evaporative cooler.

Evaporative coolers are well know and used in warm dry climates to bothraise the humidity and cool the air. Evaporative coolers work by drawingair from outside through a media soaked with water. As the air flowsthrough the soaked media water is evaporated by the outside air therebylowering the temperature of the air. The cooled air is then directedinto the area to be cooled.

An evaporative cooler includes a number of elements all of which arestored in a housing. These elements typically include an air blower; amedia pad; a water distribution system; and an electric motor.Evaporative coolers need to be maintained on a periodic basis to replacethe media pads and to clean the water distribution system.

There are three traditional approaches to mounting evaporative coolers.One approach is to mount the cooler on the roof in which the cooled airis blown down into the building. This type of cooler is also referred toas a down-draft cooler. The roof mounted cooler provides the advantageof being out of the way and can be easily connected to a duct system todeliver the cooled air. However, maintenance of the roof-mounted coolersis difficult due to access. Additionally, many roof mounted coolers arebeing banned under local zoning ordinances due to the aesthetic natureof the cooler located on the roof.

Another method of locating evaporative coolers is by hanging the housingfrom a window or eve. The cooled air is then blown into the area to becooled through the side of the cooler and is also referred to as aside-draft cooler. The window or eve hung coolers while being moreaccessible are typically hung from the eves or proximate a window. Thisapproach has a number of disadvantages including blocking the windowfrom use by the cooler. Additionally, the width of the coolers or thedistance from which they extend from the building can be up to threefeet or more. This extension from the home may not be aestheticallypleasing and also takes up a portion of the yard. Where the coolers arelocated in more densely populated areas with housing units close to oneanother the three feet extension may take up a significant portion ofthe space between the buildings. In addition to making use of the spacebetween the building more difficult to use for garbage and recyclingcontainers, it may make maintenance of the unit more difficult.

A third method of mounting the coolers is to place them on the ground inwhich the cooled air is blown upwardly. This type of cooler is alsoreferred to as an updraft cooler. This type of cooler has thedisadvantage of requiring even greater yard space than the down-draftand side-draft coolers.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an evaporative cooler thatcould be mounted to a building that would be easy to maintain in smalltight areas between buildings. Additionally, it would be desirable toprovide an evaporative cooler housing that was not mounted to a roof toavoid local zoning prohibitions. Further it would be desirable toprovide an evaporative cooler housing that did not excessively protrudeinto the yard from the building. Still further it would be desirable toprovide a water distribution system that was efficient, compact andrequired minimal maintenance. It would also be desirable to provide alow profile evaporative cooler that includes centrifugal blowers thatprovide increased efficiency of the cooler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment relates to an evaporative cooler including a coolerhousing having a front panel, an opposing rear panel, and a first andsecond side. The distance between the first and second side is at leasttwice the distance between the front and rear panels. A pair of rigidmedia are located proximate the first and second sides respectively. Acentrifugal blower has at least one air inlet facing one of the firstand second sides.

In an other embodiment a low profile evaporative cooler comprises acooler housing including a front panel, an opposing rear panel, and aright and left side extends between the front and rear panels. Each ofthe right and left sides have at least one opening configured to permitair to enter an interior of the housing. The right and left sides extenda predetermined width between the front and rear panels. The width beingless than one half of a length defined by the distance between the rightand left sides. A rigid media is located proximate each of the right andleft sides. A water distribution system provides water to the rigidmedia. A centrifugal blower includes a blower housing and a blowerwheel. The blower including a pair of air inlets that face the right andleft sides respectively.

In a further embodiment, a low profile evaporative cooler extendsthrough a building structure wall having standard spaced studs. Thecooler comprises a housing including a front panel and an opposing rearpanel configured to be attached directly to the building structure wall.The cooler housing further includes a first and second side extendingbetween the front and rear panels and configured to allow air to enterthere through. The front panel has an exposed surface area that issubstantially uninterrupted to prevent air from entering there through.A first and second evaporative rigid media pad is located proximate thefirst and second sides respectively. A pair of centrifugal blowers arelocated within the housing, each blower having at least one air inletfacing one of the first and second sides. A portion of each of theblowers extends into the wall between the standard spaced studs

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a low profile evaporative cooler.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an evaporative cooler.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the evaporative cooler takengenerally along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the evaporative cooler takengenerally along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a close up view of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 takenalong lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the water distribution system of theevaporative cooler.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the evaporative cooler with a mediacabinet tilted outward.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional view of the media cabinet and mediatilted outward.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross sectional view of the media cabinet with themedia partially removed.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an alternative water distribution system.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the water distributor of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the finger plate the water distributorof FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an evaporative cooler 10 is attached to a buildingor structure 12. Evaporative cooler 10 includes an evaporative coolerhousing 14, a media assembly 16, a blower assembly 18, and a waterdistribution system 20. For purposes of convenience, the rear side 22 ofevaporative cooler housing 14 will be the side that is in contact withbuilding 12. Accordingly, front side 24 of the evaporative cooler facesaway from the building. The right side 26 and left side 28 ofevaporative cooler 10 is on the right and left, respectively as viewedfrom an observer facing front side 24. Further, the term “width” as usedherein shall refer to the dimension that is perpendicular to the wall ofthe building 12. The term “height” shall refer to the up/down dimension,and the term “length” shall refer to the dimension that is bothperpendicular to the height and width (see FIG. 1).

In the preferred embodiment, evaporate cooler housing 14 is formed froma rear panel 30, a pair of right and left front panels 40, 42, a base44, and a top panel 46. Referring to FIG. 2. base 44 includes a baseplate 47 and four upstanding flanges extending therefrom 48, 50, 52, and54 to form a water retention cavity or basin. Right and left frontpanels 40, 42, are attached to the front upwards extending flange 50 ofbase 44. Rear panel 30 includes right and left panels 56, 58 having acollinear upper edge 60 and a collinear lower edge 62. Extending frompanels 56 and 58 is a rearwardly extending portion 63 having a panel 64offset a predetermined distance from panels 56 and 58 by flanges 66 and68 respectively. The top edge 65 of panel 64 and flanges 66 and 68 is apredetermined distance below the upper edge 60 of portion 63. Similarly,a bottom edge 69 of panels 64 and flanges 66 and 68 is a predetermineddistance above the lower edge 62 of panels 56 and 58.

The lower portion of panels 56 and 58 is attached to upwardly extendingflange 54 of base 44. Rear panel 30 is formed from a single piece ofsheet metal bent to form the various panels 56, 66, 64, 68, and 58. Itis also possible to form rear panel from two or more pieces of material.For example panels 64, 66 and 68 could be formed from one or morecomponents and attached or welded to panels 56 and 58. However, thisconstruction increases the chance of leaking or corrosion at the jointswhere the full effect of protective coating may be disrupted. Theinwardly extending region 63 defined by panel 64, and flanges 66, and 68is configured to fit between two standard spaced studs 70 of building 12(see FIG. 3). The standard spaced studs include 16 inch on center. Ofcourse in other standards are also contemplated. The benefit ofproviding spacing that can be used with standard spaced studs, allowsthe evaporative cooler to be installed on new construction or existingbuildings without the need to modify the stud configuration. Rear panel30 further includes an upper cap member 72 having a downwardly extendingrear flange 74 and a right and left downwardly extending flanges 76, 78.Additionally, upper cap member 72 has an upwardly extending flange 80.All of the flanges 74, 76, 78, and 80 extend from a center plate member82. Downwardly extending flanges 74, 76, and 78 are secured to panels64, 66 and 68 respectively. The upper edge 81 of flange 80 is collinearwith upper edge 60 of panels 56 and 58 when the upper cap 72 is in theassembled position (see FIG. 8). Similarly, a lower cap 83 is secured tothe lower portion of rear panel 30. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 8, toppanel 46 includes a downwardly extending front and rear flange 84, 86and a downwardly extending right and left flange 88, 90. Downwardlyextending front flange 84 is secured to right and left front panels 40,42 and downwardly extending rear flange 86 of top panel 46 is secured topanels 56, 58 of rear panel 30 as well as to upwardly extending flange80 of upper cap 72.

A shell is formed from the base 44, top panel 46, rear panel 30 andupper and lower rear panel caps 72, 74, and front panels 40, 42. A frontaccess door 94 includes a central panel area 96 and a frontwardlyextending flange 98 located proximate bottom edge 100 of main panelportion 96. Additionally, a pair of moveable top covers 102, 104 coverthe right and left media assemblies 108, respectively. The width of thesides 26, 28 of evaporator cooler housing 14 is determined by the widthof upwardly extending flanges 48, 52 of base 44. In a preferredembodiment, the width of base 44 as defined by the distance extendingoutward from the building 12 is 9.5 inches.

Additionally, the width or distance that flanges 66 and 68 of rear panel30 extend into the building between studs 70 is 14 inches. It should benoted that in the preferred embodiment, flanges 66 and 68 are integrallyformed and part of rear panel 30 and extend substantially perpendicularto panels 56 and 58. This provides the offset of panel 64 relative topanels 56 and 58. Panels 64 includes an opening 106 which serves as theair outlet to the evaporate cooler housing 14. It should also be notedthat the front side 24 of housing 14 does not include any louveredopenings. However, it is possible in an alternative embodiment toprovide louvered openings alone or in any combination with of panels 40,42, and 94. The air inlets of evaporator housing 14 is accomplishedthrough the right and left media assemblies 16 that are located on theright and left sides 26, 28 of the housing 14. Since the right and leftmedia assemblies are identical to one another, each similar componentwill be identified with a single reference number.

Turning now to FIGS. 2, 8 and 9, the media assembly 16 will be describedin further detail. Media assembly 16 includes a housing 108 thatincludes a side louver 110, a front panel 112, a rear panel 114, and abase panel 116. Extending from base panel 116 is support or leg 118.Also extending from base panel 116 is an upwardly extending flange 120having a upwardly extending ledge 122 with a downwardly extending catchflange 124. Each of the front and rear panels 112, 114 include a flange126, 128, respectively that extends inwardly into the cavity of thecooler housing 14 a predetermined distance. A media pad 130 is locatedwithin the cavity 132 formed by the side louver 110, front panel 112 andrear panel 114, and inwardly extending flanges 126, 128. In a preferredembodiment media 130 is a rigid media having a width of nine (9) inches,a height of twenty nine (29) inches and a length of eight (8) inches.Each media assembly housing 108 is pivotally attached to upwardlyextending base flanges 48, 52 respectfully as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and9. Rigid media as used herein means media formed from corrugated sheetsof material that are bonded together to form a rigid structure.Typically the angle of the corrugated flutes are different for adjacentcorrugated sheets. An example of rigid media is that sold by Muntersunder the trade name Celdek. Rigid media also has the characteristic ofbeing substantially rigid.

When the media housing 108 is in an in use position, a bottom edge 133of leg 118 rests on the inner surface of base plate 47 of base 44. Mediaassembly 16 is pivoted from a substantially vertical position to anangled position as shown in FIG. 8 or to a fully horizontal position(not shown) to permit easy access to remove and replace media pad 130.

Referring to FIG. 4, water distribution system 20 includes a pump 134, awater distribution line 136, and a water diffuser 138. Pump 134 includesa base 140 having on inlet 142. Base 140 rests upon plate 47 of base 44.Water is pumped from base 44 into water distribution lines 136 through afirst line 144. Line 144 splits into two lines 146, 148 via a splitter149. Each of lines 146, 148 terminate with a nozzle 150, that is securedto water diffuser 138.

Water diffuser 138 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 and positioned as itwould be if installed on the right side 26 of evaporative cooler 10.Water diffuser 138 includes a top panel 156 having a bottom surface 158that faces downward. A nozzle support plate 160 extends from a frontedge 162 of upper plate 156. Angle support plate 160 extends downwardand away from edge 162. Referring to FIG. 5, the angle between thesupport plate 160 and top plate 156 is forty degrees. However, the anglecould be between twenty and sixty degrees or any other angle sufficientto direct water from upper plate 156 to a desired location on media 130.Nozzle 150 is releasably attached to support plate 160 through anopening 164 that is centrally located on support plate 160. (See FIG.5.) Water diffuser 138 further includes a first vertical plate 166extending downwardly from top plate 156 and substantially perpendicularto top plate 156. Extending from a lower edge 168 of first verticalplate 166 is a plate 170 that forms an angle of 100 degrees withvertical plate 166. However, any angle may sufficient so long as itpermits a portion of the water to be translated from plate 166 to plate172. Plate 170 transitions into a horizontal plate 172 that issubstantially parallel to top plate 156. A downwardly extending flange174 extends from an edge of horizontal plate 172. Extending upward fromtop plate 156 is a first flange 175, a second flange 176 and a sideflange 178. Additionally extending upwardly from plate 172 is a firstflange 180 and a second flange 181.

The water diffuser 138 that is placed on the right side of evaporativecooler 10 is secured to the front and rear walls 112, 118 throughattaching flanges 173 and 180, and 176 and 181, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 5, water diffuser 138 includes a first waterdistribution edge 226 that extends from the angled support plate 160, asecond water distribution edge 168 extends from the lower edge of plate166, and a third water distribution edge 228 extending from flange 174.Water diffuser 138 also includes an upwardly extending panel 182terminating in an upwardly extending flange 184. Upwardly extendingflange 184 abuts against the side panel 110.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, line section 148 extends from the splitter tothe nozzle 150. The line 148 extends through an opening 185 in flanges88 and 90 of top panel 46. Water is pumped from a water basin defined bybase 44 through water distribution lines 136 to the two nozzles 150located on the respective right and left water diffusers 138.

Water is sprayed through each nozzle 150 such that it sprays the wateragainst surface 158 of the top plate 156. Nozzle 150 has an outlet that0.360 inches in diameter. The size of the nozzle outlet is sufficient tominimize cleaning required due to mineral buildup. Additionally, asingle nozzle may be used to wet a rigid media 130 having a length ofeight inches and a depth of nine inches. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6the water hitting surface 158 is split between a first direction towardplate 166 and a second direction toward plate 160. The water forms asemi-circular pattern such that as the water reaches edges 177 and 178of plate 156, the entire edges are covered with water.

The portion of the water flow that hits edge 162 is then directeddownward along plate 160 to a lower edge 226 and is deposited onto media130 at a first position.

The portion of the water flow that hits edge 177 is directed downwardalong plate 166 to edge 168. At lower edge 168 the water flow is split.A portion of the water will be deposited onto media 130 at a secondposition. The remaining water wraps around lower edge 168 and flowsalong plate 170 and 172 and is finally directed into a third portion ofmedia 130 at flange 174.

Referring to FIGS. 11-13 another water diffuser 330 is formed from threecomponents, a top panel 332, an angled panel 334 and a finger insert336. The finger insert 336 provides a plurality of channels throughwhich water is routed to ensure that the water flow does not concentratein a particular region of the diffuser, but rather the water is spreadacross the entire width of the diffuser 330. The water diffuser 330illustrated in FIGS. 11-13 is shown as the right side diffuser. However,a similar mirror image water diffuser may be employed on the left sideof the evaporative cooler 10. Nozzle 150 is secured to angled panel 334through an opening 338. Water is sprayed from nozzle 150 such that ithits a substantially horizontal portion 340 of finger insert 336 in sucha manner that it directs a portion of the water to the right and aportion of water to the left. In one embodiment, the amount of waterdirected to the right may be greater than the amount of water directedto the left back toward angled plate 334. Finger insert 336 includes atop portion 340 that may be substantially horizontal and is attached tothe top panel 332. Extending from a left edge of the top portion 340 isa first fingers plate 342 extending downward and to the right at thesame angle as the angled panel 334. The finger plate 342 includes a cutout region 344 that is aligned with nozzle 150, and a plurality offingers 346 that are spaced apart from one another.

Extending from the right side of horizontal top portion 340 is a secondset of angled fingers 348 that extends rightward and downward at anangle “a” of forty (40) degrees. In another embodiment, angle “a” isbetween 20 degrees and sixty degrees. However, the angle may be anothervalue as long as it is sufficient to direct water to the desiredlocation of the top of media 130. The second set of angled fingers 348include includes a plurality of fingers 350 that are formed in part inthe top portion 340. A plurality of slits 351 are made in top portion340 proximate the right edge of the top portion 340 to separate thefingers. The second set of angled fingers 348 include a first group offingers 352 that extend downwardly at an angle of ninety (90) degreesrelative to top portion 340, while a second group of fingers 354 extenddownward and to the right or outward at an angle (a′) of forty (40)degrees. In another embodiment angle a′ could be between 20 degrees and60 degrees or any other angle sufficient to provide water to be directedtoward media 130.

Angled plate 334 includes a support plate 356 having opening 338 asnoted above. Extending from a top edge of support plate 356 is anupwardly extending flange 358, and extending from a bottom edge ofsupport plate 356 may be a downwardly extending flange (not shown). Alsoextending from each of the front and rear edges 362, 364 of supportplate 356 is a flange plate 366, 368 extending upward and to the rightthat is attached to top plate 332.

Top plate 332 includes a horizontal plate 370 having a bottom surface372 and three flanges 374, 376, 378 extending upwardly. Top plate 332further includes a plate 380 extending from the edge 382 distal theangled plate in downward direction. Extending from the bottom edge ofplate 382 is a flange 384 extending to the left.

A support bracket 386 is located adjacent plate 380 and has a plate 388extending below flange 384 that may be in contact with media 130 (SeeFIG. 12). The free ends of fingers 354, 352, and 346 are disposedproximate the top of media 130 such that they are spaced apart from oneanother and spaced along the length of the media 130. The ends offingers 354 are proximate the outer or right side of the media 130,while the ends of fingers 346 are located a predetermined distance fromthe left or inner side of media 130. The ends of fingers 352 are locatedintermediate the ends of fingers 354 and 346.

Turning to FIG. 7, the blower assembly includes an upper or first blower186 and a lower or second blower 187. In a preferred embodiment, theblowers are inverted relative to one another. The upper blower 186includes an impeller 188 that is driven by a motor 190. Air is drawnthought the side inlet 192 and blown out through the outlet 194. Upperblower 186 is positioned within cavity 132 of evaporative cooler housing14 such that the exhaust is located on the bottom of the blower 186. Thewidth of the blowers 186, 187 as measured along a vector perpendicularto the rear panel is greater than the distance between the rear panels56, 58 and front panels 40, 42. The blower 186 extends into the extendedportion 63 allowing the blowers to be partially located within the wallof the building upon which the cooler is attached.

The lower blower 187 is inverted relative to the upper blower 186, suchthat the exhaust outlet 198 is located on the top portion of the blower187. The inversion of the lower blower 187 allows the overall width ofthe housing to be minimal and also minimizes the length of the outlet.Each of the upper and lower blowers 186, 187 includes a direct drivemotor 190, 191 that is mounted with three ears 194, 195. Of course othertypes of motors or mounting devices may be employed. In the preferredembodiment, each blower is rotary type blower having a height H of 14.75inches; a width W of 12.75 inches, and a length L of 9.560 inches.

In a preferred embodiment, each of blowers 186, 187 are rotary blowershaving a ⅛ hp motor and a nine inch diameter blower wheel. The inversionof the blowers relative to each other permits an equal flow of airthrough the right and left sides of the evaporative cooler.Additionally, the position of the blowers permits the air entering themedia 130 to head directly into the blower without having to turn ninetydegrees. Of course air entering either the top or bottom of the mediawill enter the blower at an angle. However, greater efficiency isachieved since the inlet or openings of the blowers face the right andleft sides of the evaporative cooler and media 130. The inverted blowersallows double the air flow while still maintaining a nine inch blowerwheel. To double the air flow with a single blower, the diameter ofblower wheel may have to be increased. An increased blower wheeldiameter would require a larger blower housing which in turn wouldrequire a large evaporative cooler housing. A larger housing wouldproject further from the building structure. Typically the length of theblower wheel as measured along a longitudinal axis about which theblower rotates is the same as the diameter of the blower wheel. Othertypes of devices to draw air that may be used in connection with theconcepts disclosed herein include a standard propeller type fan blade, amixed flow slower wheel, and other devices known in the art.

Turning to FIG. 2 evaporative cooler 10 includes an extension 200 thatextends between extension panel 64 of rear panel 30 through the wall ofthe building 12. Extension 200 is formed of a rigid preformed plasticsheet that has four sides, 202, 204, 206 and 208. The extension ismovable from a flattened position in which sides 202 and 204 areadjacent sides 206 and 208 to a rectangular position that has the sameperiphery as the opening 106 of extension panel 64. Other types ofextensions are also contemplated such as an accordion style member or anextension formed from two separate components that slide relative to oneanother. The ability to easily adjust the width of the extension permitsthe grill to fit adjacent the inner wall of the building while allowingthe rear panel of the housing to be adjacent the outer wall of thebuilding. In one embodiment the rear panel extension portion has a widthof 4.2 inches. This width is sufficient to house a portion of the blowerand to be affixed if desired to the studs, but does not extend beyondthe width of the wall (the distance between the inner and outer walls ofthe building or structure). While 4.2 inches is the width of theextension in one embodiment, other widths may be employed.

A first and second frame member 210, 212 are positioned on either sideof the extension 200. Each frame member 210, 212 includes an outer framemember 214, 216 and an inwardly extending flange 218, 220. Each end 222,224 of extension 200 fits about the inwardly extending flanges 218, 220respectively. Extension 200 may be secured to the inwardly extendingflanges 218, 220 with a mechanical or adhesive fastener. The inner framemember 214 is attached directly to the rear panel 30 with mechanicalfasteners or other fastening means. The second frame member 216 may beattached to the inside wall of building 12. Extension 200 may be sizedto extend from the first frame member 214 through the wall to the secondframe that is located proximate the inside wall of the building. Finallya grill is secured to the second frame member 216 to provide both adecorative finish to the evaporative cooler and provide means fordirecting the air flow into the building.

In one embodiment, the width of the housing as measured from thebuilding structure that the rear panel contacts is 9.5 inches. Thelength of the housing is 42 inches. This represents a length to widthradio of over 4. The extension portion of rear panel extends 4.5 inchesinto the building as measured from the outside wall of the building.Accordingly, in one embodiment, the total width available for housingthe blower is 14 inches. The extension of 4.5 inches into the wall ofthe building ensures that the extension will not significantly protrudeinto the building structure when the building structure utilizesstandard 2×4 construction with minimal thickness outer wall and innerwall materials. Most evaporative coolers utilizing a centrifugal blowerhaving a blower wheel typically have a width to length ratio of 1. Lowprofile coolers typically have a ratio of between 1.5 and 2.0. However,the lower profile coolers with a width under 24 inches are limited bythe size of the blower and therefore the amount of air can be cooled bythe cooler as measured in cubic feet per minute is limited. The use ofside air entry allows the blowers to extend up to the front wall furtherminimizing the area required to store the blowers and thereby allowingfor a bigger blower wheel then if a media pad was placed proximate thefront panel. Additionally, the two side rigid media 130 can be eightinches in length to provide increased efficiency over a thin media padof aspen wood or other thin media. Efficiency in the low profileevaporative cooler is gained by providing dual side air inlets throughmedia pads that does not require the air to turn ninety degrees to enterto the centrifugal blowers. Additionally, efficiency in the low profileevaporative cooler is gained by providing two blowers and allowing bothsides of the blowers to receive air from the right and left side inlets.The size of the blowers that can be used is further restricted for a lowprofile evaporative cooler if the blowers are to be located in part inthe wall between two 16 inch on center studs. By locating the blowersone on top of the other in an inverted fashion, the blower outlet can beupto 14 inches in length and still have the inlets directly face theside inlets. The low profile evaporative cooler is further enhanced bylocating the motors to run the blowers proximate the inlets to allow theheight of the evaporative cooler housing to minimized. Alternatively themotors may be located between the inlets on the right and/or left sidesof the blowers. If the motors are placed between the blowers and thefront and or rear walls the width of the housing must increase.Similarly, if the motors are placed above or below the blowers, theheight of the housing must increase. By employing two centrifugalblowers as described above, it is possible to achieve an actual cooledairflow of over 1200 cfm with a housing width of under 15 inches. In oneembodiment the housing extends under 10 inches from the outer buildingstructure wall. Further, the combined cooled airflow achieved with ahousing extending 10 inches or less from the outer building structuremay be over 1700, 1750, or 1800 cfm or greater.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of theelements of the evaporative cooler housing as shown in the preferred andother exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments of the present invention have been described in detail inthis disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosurewill readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g.variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions ofthe various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, useof materials, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from thenovel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in theclaims. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the present invention as defined in the appendedclaims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may bevaried or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Othersubstitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in thedesign, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention as expressed in the appended claims.

1. A low profile evaporative cooler comprising: a cooler housingincluding a front panel, an opposing rear panel, a right and left sideextending between the front and rear panels, each of the right and leftsides having at least one opening configured to permit air to enter aninterior of the housing, the right and left sides extending apredetermined width between the front and rear panels, the width beingless than one half of a length defined by the distance between the rightand left sides; a rigid media located proximate each of the right andleft sides; a water distribution system to provide water to the rigidmedia; and means for drawing air through the rigid media.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for drawing air includes a firstcentrifugal blower having a blower housing and a blower wheel, theblower including a pair of air inlets that face the right and left sidesrespectively.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further including a secondcentrifugal blower, wherein the first and second centrifugal blowers arelocated one on top of another in a vertical position, each of theblowers including an exhaust outlet extending proximate the rear panel.4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first and second blowers areinverted relative to one another with the exhaust outlets beingproximate one another.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the width isless than 16 inches.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the width isless than 12 inches.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the rear panelincludes an extension portion that extends away from the front panel adistance greater than the width.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, whereinthe extension portion includes a pair of vertical flanges extending fromthe rear panel defining an opening that receives a portion of the blowerhousing, the flanges defining a length as measured along a vectorbetween the first and second sides that is less than the distancebetween two standard size studs used in building construction.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the width of the extension is less than 14inches.
 10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the centrifugal blowersprovide at least 1200 cubic feet per minute of cooled air through thecooler housing.
 11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the centrifugalblowers provide at least 1750 cubic feet per minute of cooled airthrough the cooler housing.
 12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein aportion of the blower extends into the extension.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein a portion of the blower housing extension into theextension.
 14. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a portion of the blowerwheel extends into the extension.
 15. The apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe blower wheel has a diameter of at least nine inches.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein each blower includes a motor mountedproximate one of the blower inlets.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein one motor faces the right side and the other motor faces theleft side.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the blower housingdoes not extend more than five inches into the extension.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the blower housing includes a portionthat is proximate the front panel.
 20. A low profile evaporative coolerextending through a building structure wall having standard spacedstuds, the cooler comprising; a housing including a front panel and anopposing rear panel configured to be attached directly to the buildingstructure wall, the housing further including a first and second sideextending between the front and rear panels and configured to allow airto enter there through, the front panel having an exposed surface areathat is substantially uninterrupted to prevent air from entering therethrough; a first and second evaporative rigid media pad being locatedproximate the first and second sides respectively; and a pair ofcentrifugal blowers located within the housing, each blower having atleast one air inlet facing one of the first and second sides; a portionof each of the blower extending into the wall between the standardspaced studs.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, further including at leastone extension extending from the rear panel inwardly into the buildingstructure between the standard spaced studs.
 22. The apparatus of claim21, wherein a portion of each blower extends into the building structurebetween the standard spaced studs.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22,wherein the blowers are located one on top of another.
 24. The apparatusof claim 23, wherein the blowers are inverted relative to one another,wherein an exhaust outlet of each blower is proximate each other. 25.The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the blowers are located in a side byside arrangement, each blower extending between two different pairs ofstandard spaced studs.
 26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein eachblower includes a motor located proximate an air inlet.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 26, wherein one of the motors faces the first side ofthe housing and the other motor faces the second side of the housing.28. An evaporative cooler comprising: a cooler housing having a frontpanel, an opposing rear panel, and a first and second side extendingthere between, a distance between the first and second side is at leasttwo times a distance between the front and rear panels; a pair of rigidmedia located proximate the first and second sides respectively; and acentrifugal blower having at least one air inlet facing one of the firstand second sides and configured to draw cooled air through the rigidmedia pads and exhaust the air through an opening in the rear panel.